Sentencing set for Colorado woman, 19, who wanted to help Islamic State militants in Syria

DENVER – A 19-year-old suburban Denver woman is scheduled to be sentenced after pleading guilty to trying to help Islamic State militants.

A Friday sentencing hearing is scheduled for 19-year-old Shannon Conley, who was arrested at Denver International Airport in April while boarding a flight she hoped would get her to Syria.

Authorities say Conley wanted to marry a suitor she met online who said he was fighting with the extremists. They say she repeatedly told them she wanted to fight with him or use her nurse's aide skills to help.

Conley pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. She could face up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. But her sentence also depends on how well she cooperated with authorities in their investigation.